Essential 34
1. Interacting with adults.
· When responding to any adult, you must answer by using the word or Yes or no followed by sir/ma’am. (Example: Yes sir, yes ma’am)
· I will do the same to you.
· Just nodding your head, saying yeah or nah or any other form of yes or no is not acceptable.

2. Listen to the speaker.

  • Look at the person when to show that you are listening to the person.
  • If needed, turn your body to look at the person.
  • It is OK to take notes while the person is talking to keep their key points fresh in your mind.
  • It is not OK to visit with someone else while the person is talking, even if you have a question.

3. Congratulating a Classmate.

  • If someone in class does something well, we will congratulate that person.
  • Claps should be at least 3 seconds in length with the full part of both hands meeting in manner that will give the appropriate clap volume.
  • If someone starts to clap, we will all join-in to congratulate that person.
4. Classroom discourse.
  • Do not speak unless:
    1. You raise your hand and I call on you.
    2. I ask you a question and you are responding.
    3. I give you specific permission. (An example would be if we are working on a project).
    4. You are the class tutor.
  • During discussions, respect other students’ opinions. (Follow the “Dances with Wolves” example).
  • Look the person.
  • Stay calm and use a pleasant voice.
  • Say something positive first. (I agree with Billy up to , but then . I agree with Brenda and also feel that. . .)
  • Listen the person’s response and be polite.
  • Do not raise your hand or offer a comment until the person in completely done talking.
  • If you say something that it hurtful to another person, apologize, but don’t make any excuses.
  • An apology should be based on your future actions.
  • When someone pays you a compliment, look at the person and say thank you. Don’t disagree with the compliment.
5. Competing.
  • If you do something well or win, do not brag.
  • If you lose, do not show anger or sarcasm.
  • It is OK not say anything at all; however, it would be better to same something positive like “I enjoyed playing against you, good game or congratulations, I look forward to playing you again.”
  • It is never OK to be sarcastic! Don’t say anything about not giving all of your effort.
6. Conversations.
  • Look at the person.
  • Use a pleasant voice.
  • Say “Hi” or “Hello.”
  • If someone greets you, you should greet him or her. (If someone says “good morning”, you should return the greeting.)
  • If someone asks you a question, you should ask a question in return.
  • When you introduce yourself to a new person, you should look at the person and shake their hand. You should always repeat the other person’s name. It will help you remember the person’s name.

7. Coughing, Sneezing, burping, yawning.
· When you cough, sneeze or burp, turn your head and cover your mouth with the full part of your hand.
  • Just turning your head or using your fist isn’t appropriate.
  • If you end up with some extra “material” in your hand, quietly get some tissue and clean yourself. You may need to wash your hands.
  • If someone sneezes, you don’t need to announce to the class.
  • When you yawn, don’t aspirate (don’t make any noises!)
  • If you have a cold or feel a sneeze coming, it is OK, to step into the hallway to blow your nose and then return to the class quickly and quietly.
8. Gestures: Do not smack your lips, roll your eyes or display disrespect with gestures or other non-verbal communication.
9. Showing appreciation.
· If anyone gives you something, always say thank you.
  • This includes the cafeteria and even if you pay for the item.
  • If I give you something and you don’t say “thank you” within three seconds, I will take it back.
  • Never make a negative comment about the gift or insinuate that it isn’t appreciated. This is very disrespectful to the person who gave the gift.
10. Pay it forward.
· Surprise each other by performing random acts of kindness at least once a month.
  • The act of kindness should go to person who doesn’t expect it or even necessarily deserve it.
  • It isn’t paying it forward to repay the person who was nice to you. You should do that; it is showing appreciation.
11. Complete Sentences.
· Answer all questions with a complete sentence.
· Apply this rule to conversations.
  • In algebra an equation is a complete sentence.
  • (Word) problems need a context for the answer.
12. Rewards.
  • You will discover that I believe in giving a reward for accomplishments.
  • Never ask for a reward! If you ask for a reward, you won’t get one.
  • You should work your hardest, because that is what your parents, you and I should expect from you.
  • If it is a group or class reward and you ask for a reward, no one in the group/class will get the reward!
13. Homework.
· Homework is an essential part of mathematics.
· The general rule for homework is best effort-first time-on time.
  • You will be given homework on a daily basis.
  • This needs to be done on a daily basis.
  • If the class completes all of the homework each day for 10 days, there will be a reward each and every day from that point for everyone having their homework complete. Please remember rule 12.
  • There will be a punishment if you do not have your homework complete
  • If you score less than 80% on your homework, you will be required to correct and hand it in again. Anyone can correct their homework grade and hand it in again to raise their grade.
  • If you miss class, it is your responsibility to the work and get it completed in a timely fashion.
  • Homework that was due that your absent is expected to be completed and handed-in the day you return to class.
  • When homework is assigned, do not moan or complain.
14. Transitions.
· Because we are in class for 90 minutes, we will have more than one activity each day.
  • Transitions need to be swift, quiet and orderly.
  • We should be able to transition in 10 seconds or less. After the introductory period, we should be able to transition in 7 seconds or less.
15. Classroom jobs.
· Each of you will be assigned a classroom job after you apply for one.
  • Perform you job to the best of your ability.
· Do not complain about your job.
  • Respect other people’s jobs.
  • Respect and work with the other people who share your job.
  • Do not perform other people’s job.
16. Organization.
· Be as organized as you possibly can.
  • Have your materials out and ready to go when the class begins.
  • Keep your space clean around you.
  • Pick the floor around you as you leave class each day.
17. Behavior.
  • I know will you will show respect at all times and follow all of our rules.
  • I expect you to act this way no matter who is in the room.
  • You should attitude and respect should not change if we have a visitor in the room, a substitute teacher or if I step out of the room for any reason.
18. Classroom Procedures.
· Follow the classroom procedures that are set.
  • Do not leave your seat unless you are instructed or you raise your hand and ask for permission.
  • The exception is if you feel sick; you may leave immediately and someone will follow you to make sure you are all right.
  • Pick up your calculator/binder at the beginning of class and return it at the end of class.
19. Food and drink.
· You may have water anytime in the classroom.
  • Do not bring any outside food/drink into the building.
  • Food is not allowed in the classroom unless:
    1. I bring food in for you as a reward.
    2. You ask to bring food in for everyone in the class.
  • Possession of any energy drink anywhere in the classroom will result in me destroying it and you experiencing an appropriate punishment.
  • I don’t care if you have in your backpack or not.
  • Exceptions to this rule will be made for medical conditions.
20. Teachers/Principals.
· Learn the names of other teachers and principals as soon as possible and greet them when you see them.
· There are a lot of teachers in this school. You should start with Mr. Beste, Mrs. Cole, Mrs. Hirtz, Mrs. Bach, Mrs. Shives, and Mr. Heesch.
21. Bathroom.
  • Use the bathroom before you come to class.
  • If it is an emergency, of course I will let you use the bathroom as long as we are doing independent work.
  • Emergencies don’t happen every day or even every week.
· I don’t keep or buy germicide. My parents taught me from an early age to wash my hands with soap every time I used the bathroom. You should learn that lesson today if you haven’t already learned it!
· Exceptions to this rule will be made for medical reasons.
22. Lunchroom.
· Do not cut in line. The punishment can be severe.
  • Go to the lunchroom immediately. You are required to eat your lunch in the lunchroom.
  • Do not save seats in the lunchroom, if someone wants to sit down, let him or her.
  • Treat everyone with respect.
  • If you spill something, pick it up. If it is a liquid mess and you can’t easily clean it up by your self, stand over it until one of the supervisors can help you and keep other people from walking through it.
  • Speak in a normal tone and don’t yell over tables. There are classes right next to the lunchroom and they deserve your respect.
  • Clean up your area and return your tray as soon as you are done eating and then quietly return to your seat. Don’t wait until the end of lunchtime to return your tray.
23. Respecting student’s privacy.
· If another student has a seizure in the hallway, inform a teacher and then leave the area.
  • If another student has a seizure in the classroom, as soon as I start to address it, leave the classroom and inform another teacher and stay quiet in the hallway and respect the student’s privacy.
  • If I or another teacher or principal is reprimanding a student, do not stare at the student.
  • If you are being reprimanded and someone else is staring at you, let me know and I will handle the situation.
24. Homework help in the evening.
· Work the best in class to get your questions answered in class. I am usually here after school and before school.
  • You may call or text me in the evening if you have questions.
  • Like you, sometimes I have other interests. You may leave a message like “Hi Mr. Gripentrog, this is _. I have a question about . You can call me back until .”
  • You don’t need to leave 14 messages. One message will suffice.
  • Do not call me after 10:00 pm or before 6:00 am.
25. Computer Use.
  • Do not have your computer out unless you there are explicit instructions to use them.
  • Keep your computer in the hard case when it’s not in use.
· When you have computer out, you must be in synchroneyes.
  • Never touch another person’s computer unless you given specific instructions.
  • You may not use headphones unless I give you permission. I don’t want see headphones in the classroom.
  • If you have an email signature, it must be respectful in nature. The signature can reflect your personality and still be respectful.
  • Always use a pleasant and professional tone in your emails and display respect at all times.
26. Electronic devices.
  • Electronic devices such as Ipods, Zooms and cell phones are not allowed to be used in the classroom.
  • If you bring them into the classroom, they need to be in your backpack on not visible.
  • If you forget to set your cell phone to vibrate or off, it will be confiscated and given to the appropriate principal.
  • If you use the device in the classroom, you will be punished by me in addition to any punishment that you receive from a principal. Part of your punishment will be a conference with you and your parents before you get the device back.
27. Gula: When you are offered food, only take you fair share.
28. Items on the floor.
  • If someone drops something on the floor, bend down and pick it up and hand it back to them.
  • Even if they are closer, it is polite to make the gesture.
29. Door manners.
  • If you approach a door and someone is following you, hold the door for them.
  • If the door pulls out toward you, open the door and allow the person to pass first.
  • If the door pushes out, go through the door first and then hold it open.
30. Physical contact: If someone bumps into you, even if it was not your fault, say “excuse me.”
31. Assembly.
  • When we walk to an assembly, walk in a single file and remain silent in the hallway.
  • Keep your feet on the floor and your hands to yourselves.
  • During the assembly give the speaker, your full attention. They deserve your respect.
  • Do not look around and call out to your friends in other classes.
  • Participate and have fun in the assembly!
32. Phone etiquette.
  • When you answer the phone at home, use good manners.
  • When you answer the phone in this classroom, follow the script next to the phone.
  • Always speak to the person on the other end of the phone respectfully.
33. Bullying.
  • Do not bully anyone else. If you treat the person with respect, it becomes very difficult to bully them.
  • If you are bullied, let me know about it. Do not take manners into your own hands. I will not allow anyone else to bully you or make you feel uncomfortable.
34. Be a leader.
  • Stand up for what you believe in. If you strongly believe something, don’t just go with the crowd. State why you feel so strongly!
  • Choose your attitude. There are many things that happen in life that we can’t control, but we always control our attitude. Whether you think you can or think you can’t, you are right!
  • Accept that you going to make mistakes. Learn from them and move on. Failure is fine as long as you don’t make it a habit.
  • Be honest, even when you make a mistake.
  • Be the best person you can be!
35. Getting the Teacher’s attention.
  • Look at me.
  • Raise your hand.
  • Wait until I call on you.
  • Ask an appropriate question.
36. Follow Instructions.
  • Look at the person.
  • Say OK.
  • Do what’s been asked right away.
  • Check back to make sure you followed the instructions carefully.
37. Accept No for an Answer.
  • Look at the person.
  • Say Ok.
  • Stay calm.
  • If disagree, ask later. Later means at least five minutes.